Swimming aid device



Jan. 9, 1962 e. GRONKOWSKI SWIMMING AID DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1958Geo/ye GrMAQJWSk/Q INVENTOR United States Patent 3,015,829 SWIMMING AIDDEVICE George Gronkowski, Rte. 2, Box 357, Vashon, Wash. Filed Dec. 29,1958, Ser. No. 783,433 4 Claims. (Cl. 9-307) My invention relates toswimming aid devices, and it has for a purpose the provision of a devicecharacterized by a pair of swim-fins attachable respectively to theupper and lower portions of the limb of the wearer, and in positions toincrease the surface area of said limb portions to, in turn, producegreater propelling action under the normal swimming movements of thelimb, thereby causing the swimmer to move more rapidly through thewater.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a swimming aid devicewherein the two fins are pivotally interconnected at' pointscorresponding to the elbow or knee joints when attached to the upper orlower limbs of the wearer so that the two fins are susceptible ofindependent movements when required to respond to separate swimmingmovements of the upper and lower limb portions.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a swimming fin whichis inflatable with air for the dual purpose of giving rigidity theretoagainst bending when moved through the water, so that it will providethe intended propelling function, and to lend a certain degree ofbuoyancy thereto to aid the swimmer in keeping afloat.

I will describe only two forms of swimming aid devices, and one form offin, each embodying my invention, and will then point out the novelfeatures thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the four swimming aid devices, each embodyingmy invention, in front elevation and applied to a persons limbs.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the devices shown inFIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, my invention in its presentembodiment comprises two forms of devices, one designed for use on anupper limb of the wearer, and indicated generally at D, and the otherdesigned for use on a lower limb of the wearer, and indicated generallyat D1. These devices are essentially the same in construction in thateach is made of two swimfins having belts for attaching the fins to thelimb, and a swivel connection between the fins to allow relativemovement of the two as attached to different parts of the limb.

In the instance of the device D, the two fins are indicated at 15 and16, the swivel connection at 17, and each belt at B. Each fin isconstructed of flexible but inelastic rubber or other suitable material,and hollow so that it can be inflated with air through a suitable valve18. Each fin is elongated and preferably of triangular form in crosssection, and of course closed at its ends to form a hermetically-sealedbody that will retain air therein when once inflated.

Each belt B is preferably made of elastic rubber and is formed in 'twoparts 19 and 20 integral with one side wall 21 of the fin so that theymay be molded as an integral part of the fin. The other two sides 22 and23 of the fin extend in converging relation from the side wall 21 andthus provide oppositely inclined outer surfaces which constitutepropelling surfaces under swinging motions of the wearers limb.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the belt part 19 is of triangular form and atits free end is formed with a strap 24. The belt part 20 is likewise oftriangular form and at its free end is provided with a buckle 25 throughwhich the strap "ice 24 is extended to hold the belt in circular formabout the limb as the device is applied to the limb.

The swivel connection 17 may be of anyconventional form such as to soconnect the confronting end walls of the fins 15 and 16 that one fin isuniversally movable with respect to the other fin. In the presentinstance the connection 17 comprises a ball and socket joint, best shownin FIG. 3, having stems 17a extending therefrom and formed with plates17b secured to the fin walls.

The device D, as previously stated herein, is designed for use on theupper limb of the wearer, that is the arm and, of course, two suchdevices are provided one for each arm. Accordingly, the fin 15 of eachdevice is of a length corresponding to that of the upper arm, and thefin 16 of a length corresponding to that of the forearm.

Each swim fin 15 or 16 is provided with two belts B which when extendedabout the arm in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1, and placed undertension, securely hold the fin 15 along the outer side of the upper arm,and the fin 16 along the outer side of the forearm, with the swivelconnection 17 opposite the elbow. As so attached the walls 22 and 23 ofeach fin are positioned, respectively, forwardly and rearwardly at theouter side of the arm, and the belts prevent turning of the fins fromthese positions.

The device D1 as previously stated herein is designed for use on thelower limb of the wearer, and, of course, two such devices are providedone for each lower limb. The parts of each device D1 are designated inFIG. 1 of the drawings with the same letters and numerals as the deviceD, but with different exponents, except the numeral 17, designating theswivel connection, is the same.

To render the devices D1 suitable for use on the lower limbs, the swimfins 15a and 16a of each device are of lengths corresponding,respectively, to the thigh and leg of the limb, and when attached by thebelts B1, position the swivel connection 17 at the knee as illustrated.

Before attaching all four devices to the upper and lower limbs as shownin FIG. 1, the fins are inflated with air through the valves 18. By sodoing the fins are made rigid to provide the intended propellingfunction when moved in the water under swimming movements of the upperarms and the forearms in one instance, and the thighs and legs in theother instance.

By virtue of the connections 17 the upper arms can be movedindependently of the forearms, and the thighs moved independently of thelegs as occurs in certain swimming strokes. Thus all fins can be used toincrease the surface area of the upper and lower limbs to, in turn,produce greater propulsion with each swimming stroke and thereby causethe swimmer to move much more rapidly through the water. The inflatedfins also render them buoyant to a degree such as not to interfere withtheir movements in the water and yet aid in sustaining the swimmerafloat.

It will be understood that when either device D or D1 is not in use thefins may be deflated by opening the valves 18, thereby causing them tocollapse, and thus the entire device can fold into compact form tofacilitate storage and shipment. Also, it will be understood'that whileI have shown and described the fins as attachable to the limbs of thewearer by means of belts, it is within the scope of my invention tovulcanize the fins on a conventional rubber skin-divers suit.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of swimmingaid devices, and one form of fin, each embodying my invention, it is tobe understood that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus adapted for use in aiding a swimmer,

comprising a plurality of pairs of. elongated inflatable finlike membersarranged end-to-end and including a hinging connection between theadjacent ends of each pair of members, said inflatable members eachincluding strap means for use in securing said members longitudinallyalong the exterior side of the swimmers arm or leg with one member aboveand the other member of a given pair of inflatable members disposedbelow the elbow or the knee joint, there being a separate pair ofinflatable members for attachment to each arm and to each leg.

2. Apparatus, as defined in claim 1 characterized in that saidinflatable members are substantially co-extensive with the length ofthearm or leg to which the same are attachable.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said inflatablemembers are of substantially greater width along the inner longitudinaledge thereof than along the opposite outer edge thereof.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 characterized in the provision of aplurality of pairs of adjustable fastenerequipped strap means secured tothe opposite sides of the inner wider edge of said inflatable membersand cooperable to secure said members firmly to the legs and arms of theswimmer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 18,809Gibson Dec. 8, 1857 661,595 Bartholomew Nov. 13, 1900 1,059,443 CsekiApr. 22, 1913v 1,268,179 Swanson June 4, 1918v 1,275,727 Niec Aug. 13,1918 1,508,651 Evans Sept. 16, 1924 2,692,995 Le Behan Nov. 2, 1954FOREIGN PATENTS 163,582 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1933 640,355 Great BritainJuly 19, 1950 "Taft

